Posted by Joan Peterson on Saturday, 2. January 1999 at 04:17 Bali Time:
In Reply to: Good Restaurants & Bars? posted by Kirstie on Wednesday, 30. December 1998 at 07:51 Bali Time:
Bali, and all of Indonesia, for that matter, has wonderful dishes that many miss because they don't know much about the food and are somewhat cautious to try new things. A good place to start is the Café Wayan in Ubud, but get there ahead of the crowd because the word is out about the marvelous food on the menu. I ate with owner Ibu Wayan when in Bali researching the food for a guidebook I have since written about Indonesia's cuisine.
For a less discovered place, head for Cucu Warung, also in Ubud, and ask chef Gusti Nyoman Darte to make you some sate Bali limbat (lembat), which is minced meat, spices and grated coconut rolled around thick skewers and grilled.
If you are in Jimbaran, you can catch a wonderful sight early in the morning (about 6AM, even earlier): bringing in the catch of the night. In the midst of budding tourism in Jimbaran, life for the villagers goes on as always, and this spectacle is wonderful to watch and photo. Wives, children and old folks gather at the beach to meet their loved ones who have been out in boats all night. The fish/seafood they bring in are weighed and hurried to market. This event occurs to the right of the Keraton Bali Hotel beach area, about a 5-10 minute walk down the beach.
Joan B. Peterson, President
Ginkgo Press, Inc.
http://www.ginkgopress.com
Publishers of the EAT SMART guidebook series for travelers who put food first--and get to the heart of a culture through its cuisine. Guides to the food of Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia and the latest, Eat Smart in Mexico, are available.